Knowing China through Taiwan

Economy

China plans special economic zones in the US: website

Staff Reporter

2011-06-13

17:10 (GMT+8)

China plans to establish a special economic zone in Idaho, a website claims. Picture: Shenzhen went from a fishing village to a sprawling metropolis as one of China's special economic zones. (Photo/CFP)

China has decided to buy up pieces of the United States with the aim of setting up "special economic zones" according to a website called The American Dream. One of the zones would reportedly be located just south of Boise, Idaho.

It is reported that China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach) plans to construct a technology zone south of Boise airport which would ultimately be up to 50 square miles in size and the Idaho government is supposedly eager to give it to them. The planned technology zone would include manufacturing facilities, warehouses, retail centers and large numbers of homes for Chinese workers in a "self-sustaining city."

The major owner behind the Sinomach plan is the Chinese Communist Party, so the planned city would essentially belong to the Chinese government.

The idea would be to build a self-contained city with all services included, according to the Idaho Statesman. It would be modeled after the special economic zones that currently exist in China.

The most famous example of these special economic zones is Shenzhen. Back in the 1970s, Shenzhen was just a very small fishing village across the border from Hong Kong. Today it is a sprawling metropolis of over 14 million people.

If the US government really gives the plan the green light, it could be the first of many in the US. Sinomach is not only targeting Idaho but is in discussions to develop such zones all over the United States.

Sinomach has recently dispatched delegations to Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania to explore the possibility of establishing zones in those states also.

The website reports that Americans are afraid that once China develops more and more self-sustaining cites inside the country, these communities would pose a threat to US security. Despite benefits to the local economy , the Chinese could potentially bring in and store massive amounts of military equipment virtually undetected.

Some internet users view the prospect as colonialism, while others cannot understand why the government would offer the fertile agricultural land of the US midwest to China.

One netizen called march21 commented: "That's exactly how India came to be ruled by the British. India or rather some Indian kings allowed East India Company to set up trading."

Another netizen going by the name Derpper said: "You shouldn't blame the economy, blame the traitors we 'elected' who are willing to sell our home to settle a paper money debt."